Wagering game system and method with combined variable randomness and skill-based prize selection

Abstract

A wagering game system and method include a bonus game for a game of chance that enables a player to win a bonus prize or select one of a plurality of bonus prizes. The bonus game receives input from a bonus prize input device configured to be manipulated by the player to perform a skill-based task having an outcome that has an influence on selection of one of the bonus prizes. A processor applies a randomness adjustment to the task or the outcome to further influence winning of, or selection of, one of the bonus prizes. The randomness adjustment is based on a skill level of the player. The skill level of the player may be adjusted based on wagering activity, prize history, or other factors.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system, comprising:
 a gaming device comprising:
 a monetary input device configured to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value; 
 a user interface configured to:
 enable a player to select a wager for a game of chance; and 
 enable the player to initiate a cash out operation; 
 
 a processor programmed to:
 add the monetary value to a credit balance for the player; 
 deduct the selected wager from the credit balance; and 
 decrease the credit balance in response to the cash out operation; and 
 
 a bonus game that enables the player to win a bonus prize, the bonus game having a bonus prize input device configured to be manipulated by the player to perform a task having an outcome that has an influence on winning the bonus prize, wherein the processor applies a randomness adjustment based on a skill level of the player to the task or the outcome to further influence winning of the bonus prize. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein the randomness adjustment comprises applying a randomization factor of accuracy to the task or the outcome. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is programmed to apply the randomness adjustment to affect at least one of speed, dexterity, and agility required to perform the task. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  wherein the randomness adjustment comprises adding or subtracting a random period of time to a base period of time allowed to perform at least a portion of the task. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is programmed to apply the random adjustment by applying a random factor to at least one of a targeting angle or position, a starting angle or position, and a stopping angle or position associated with performing the task. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is programmed to apply the randomness adjustment by adding or subtracting a random or predetermined value to a speed associated with performing the task. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  wherein probability of the randomness adjustment varies based on available bonus prizes. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is programmed to apply the randomness adjustment by assigning a random acceleration or deceleration to at least one motion associated with performing the task. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8  wherein the random acceleration or deceleration makes performing the task more difficult to influence winning a high-value bonus prize. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor adjusts the skill level of the player to maintain a predetermined percentage or percentage range of money or credits returned to the player over a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor adjusts probability of the randomness adjustment based on a predetermined percentage or percentage range of money or credits returned to the player over a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor adjusts the skill level of the player based on prizes won by the player during a current gaming session. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor adjusts the skill level of the player based on accumulated wagering of the player over a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       14. A method of winning a bonus prize for a game of chance, the method comprising:
 receiving a physical item associated with a monetary value using a monetary input device of a gaming device; 
 enabling a player to select a wager for a game of chance using a user interface of the gaming device; 
 enabling the player to initiate a cash out operation using the user interface; 
 adding the monetary value to a credit balance for the player; 
 deducting the selected wager from the credit balance; 
 decreasing the credit balance in response to the cash out operation; 
 providing a bonus game that enables the player to win a bonus prize associated with the game of chance, the bonus game having a bonus prize input device configured to be manipulated by the player to perform a task having an outcome that has an influence on winning the bonus prize; and 
 applying, by the processor, a randomness adjustment to the task or the outcome to further influence winning the bonus prize, wherein the randomness adjustment is based on a skill level of the player. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein the randomness adjustment comprises a randomization factor of accuracy applied to the task or the outcome. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  wherein applying the randomness adjustment comprises applying the random adjustment to affect at least one of speed, dexterity, and agility required to perform the task. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14  wherein applying the randomness adjustment comprises adding or subtracting a random period of time to a base period of time allowed to perform at least a portion of the task. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14  wherein applying the randomness adjustment comprises applying a randomization factor to at least one of a targeting angle or position, a starting angle or position, and a stopping angle or position associated with performing the task. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14  wherein applying the randomness adjustment comprises applying the randomness adjustment by adding or subtracting a random or predetermined value to a speed associated with performing the task. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 14  wherein probability of the randomness adjustment varies based on available bonus prizes. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 14  wherein applying the randomness adjustment comprises applying the randomness adjustment by assigning an acceleration or deceleration to at least one motion associated with performing the task. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 14  wherein applying the random adjustment comprises applying the random adjustment to make performing the task more difficult to influence selection of a high-value bonus prize. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 14  further comprising adjusting the skill level of the player to maintain a predetermined percentage or percentage range of money or credits returned to the player over a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 14  further comprising adjusting probability of the randomness adjustment based on a predetermined percentage or percentage range of money or credits returned to the player over a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 14  further comprising adjusting the skill level of the player based on prizes won by the player during a current gaming session. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 14  further comprising adjusting the skill level of the player based on accumulated wagering of the player over a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       27. A gaming device, comprising:
 a monetary input device configured to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value; 
 a user interface configured to:
 enable a player to select a wager for a game of chance; 
 enable the player to initiate a cash out operation; and 
 enable the player to play a bonus game to select one of a plurality of bonus prizes after winning the game of chance; 
 
 a processor programmed to:
 add the monetary value to a credit balance for the player; 
 deduct the selected wager from the credit balance; 
 decrease the credit balance in response to the cash out operation; 
 provide the bonus game to the player via the user interface, wherein the bonus game receives input from a bonus prize input device configured to be manipulated by the player to perform a task having an outcome that has an influence on selection of one of the bonus prizes, wherein the processor applies a randomness adjustment to the task or the outcome to further influence selection of one of the bonus prizes, and wherein the randomness adjustment is based on a skill level of the player. 
 
 
     
     
       28. The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen. 
     
     
       29. The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the randomness adjustment comprises applying a randomized factor of accuracy to the task or the outcome. 
     
     
       30. The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the processor is programmed to apply the randomness adjustment to affect at least one of speed, dexterity, and agility required to perform the task. 
     
     
       31. The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the randomness adjustment comprises adding or subtracting a random period of time to a base period of time allowed to perform at least a portion of the task. 
     
     
       32. The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the processor is programmed to apply the randomness adjustment by applying a randomization factor to at least one of a targeting angle or position, a starting angle or position, and a stopping angle or position associated with performing the task. 
     
     
       33. The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the processor is programmed to apply the randomness adjustment by adding or subtracting a random or predetermined value to a speed associated with performing the task. 
     
     
       34. The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein probability of the randomness adjustment varies based on available bonus prizes. 
     
     
       35. The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the processor is programmed to apply the randomness adjustment by assigning an acceleration, deceleration, or speed to at least one motion associated with performing the task. 
     
     
       36. The gaming device of  claim 35  wherein the acceleration, deceleration, or speed makes performing the task more difficult to reduce probability of selection of a high-value bonus prize. 
     
     
       37. The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the processor is programmed to adjust the skill level of the player to maintain a predetermined percentage or percentage range of money or credits returned to the player over a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       38. The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the processor is programmed to adjust probability of the randomness adjustment based on a predetermined percentage or percentage range of money or credits returned to the player over a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       39. The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the processor is programmed to adjust the skill level of the player based on prizes won by the player during a current gaming session. 
     
     
       40. The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the processor is programmed to adjust the skill level of the player based on accumulated wagering of the player over a predetermined period of time.